Thursday, January 14, 2010

Ibex Tuck Gloves Review


These gloves are softshell, with wool lining. They are bulky. And they are warm. The leather palms are nice, but the nosewipe ("flock" nosewipe) leaves a lot to be desired. Not that I used it on my nose during the testing period! It's just not at all fuzzy - same as the outside softshell of the glove. The seam running between the thumb and forefinger felt bulky and irritating on the left hand, but not the right, so it's possible a different pair would not have that issue, but it made for noticeably uncomfortable biking.

I've ended up sending both these Ibex gloves back and turning to a more tried-and-true approach - glove liners (currently my cheapo H&M gloves) and a windblocking shell (Joshua's pair from last season). Warm enough and the least bulky option out there.

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Ibex Shak Gloves Review


Between Christmas and New Year's I biked into the office for three days, in bitter cold and blustery winds. My regular fleece gloves were not doing the trick and my thumbs got froze and painful by the end of the 2 mile trip.

I ordered a pair of Ibex Shak Gloves, which have leather on the palm and a double layer of wool on top, and didn't think that they would be terribly warm or windblocking for the bike ride, but this morning it was 25 degrees and my hands felt fine on the ride in. The fit is a little long in the fingers and that helps to trap air, but doesn't seem to interfere too much with dexterity.

A couple other pairs of gloves are on their way for review and testing, and I will keep you posted.

Saturday, January 2, 2010

New Year's Eve Dinner

Fergus Henderson's Duck Legs and Carrots. Lessons learned:

"Add chicken stock until duck legs are showing like alligators in a swamp" is not the same as 1 3/4 cups of stock.

From Food


From Food


This is too much. I unbasted most of the liquid about an hour through the 90 minute cooktime, but then we got to make it into soup with the leftover carrots the next day, so no harm no foul.

So you end up with this:
From Food


Bitman's Chicken Liver Pate ( a little blurry) - so cheap, so easy, so delish.
From Food


Duck, bread, and roasted teeny brussels sprouts. Happy 2010!
From Food


Oh yes and don't forget dessert - Molten Chocolate Lightning Cake.
From Food


Really, it takes ten minutes. I stole this from Hedonic Monica when looking for a chocolate dessert I could make in a ramekin. I used 54% Bakers semisweet chocolate.

1/2 c butter
4 oz dark chocolate (I use 62% Scharffen Berger)
1/4 c sugar (I use brown or white interchangebly)
2 eggs
2 egg yolks
2 tsp flour
pinch salt

berries, coulis, mint, chocolate sauce, fresh vanilla cream, or powdered sugar (for decor)


Butter and flour four ramekins. Preheat oven to 450. Using a double boiler, melt chocolate and butter. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, yolk, sugar, and salt. Whisk in hot chocolate-butter mixture, slowly and carefully so not to create a chocolate omlette. Divide amongst ramekins. Either bake for 10-12 min (depending on how molten you prefer your center), or refrigerate until ready to use. After baking, run a knife around cake edge and turn carefully upside down onto a plate. Allow to set for 1 minute before pulling off ramekin. Decorate and serve warm.

Friday, January 1, 2010

carbonara

Bacon/guanciale saute until crisp, add cream

4 yolks + 2 eggs. .6 lbs pancetta, 3/4 c cream.

butter 6 tbl soft butter. beat that till soft and fluffy.

3 whole and two yolks or vice versa, beat that with 3/4 c parm.

butter first, toss.
then hot bacon/cream
then eggs/cheese